Radiation combustion chamber



A. E. NASH ET AL RADIATIQN COMBUSTION CHAMBER Aug. 9, 1932.

Filed Nov. 29, 1926 0 0 0 0 0 0 M M M l 0 0 0 0 0 0 01m %%4 0 Q 0 0 0 0 owow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r QOOO 0 0, //OOOO" 0 0 0MOH 0 0 0 rim/a INVENTORS m; ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug/9,1932

' PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR E. NASH, OF PHILADELPHIA,

VANIA, SYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO ALGORN COMBUSTION A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE AND JAMES S. ALCOBN, O1 OYNWYD, PENNSYL- COMPANY, OF PHILADZEJZIPHZIIA, PENN- RADIATION COMBUSTION CHAMBER Application filed November 29, 1926. Serial No. 151,807.

Our invention relates to radiation 20mbustion chambers, as passages wherein the combustion progresses as the fuel, air and gases progress therethrough.

n, In accordance with our invention, the wall structure forming a chamber or passage from which heat is transferred by radiation to a heat absorption structure, either wholly or in part, ing high heat conductivity and capable of withstanding high temperatures.

Further in accordance with our invention, the aforesaid metal or alloy should be chemically inert with respect to the gasesdeveloped by the burning fuel and should be of a character largely resisting oxidation at high temperatures Further in accordance with our invention, a combustion chamber comprising wall structure constructed of a, metal or alloy, as aforesaid, is utilized for radiating heat to suitable structure capable of absorbing the heatat a ratepreventing excessive rise in temerature in said wall structure. as ()ur invention resides in a radiation combustion chamber of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of some of the many forms our invention may take,- reference is,

$0 to be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of heat transfer apparatus embodying a radiation combustion chamber constructed in accord- 85 ance with our invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are endand vertical sectional views, respectively, of a tubular combustion chamber constructed in accordance with our invention.

Figs. 4 and 5 are end and vertical sectional views, respectively, of another form of a combustion chamber.

Figs. 6 and 7 are end and vertical sectional views, respectively, of another form of a 4 combustion chamber.

is formed of a metal or alloy hav-.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view gf still another form of a combustion cham- Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of still another form of a combustion chamber.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 9. i Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of still another form of a combustion chamber.

As exemplified in the U.- S. patent to Cannon, 1,371,7 7 4, it is known to the art that carborundum may be utilized'for forming a combustion chamber for transferring or radiating heat to heat-absorption structure. I

In accordance with our invention, in lieu of carborundum as the material from which'the combustion chamber is formed,- there is utilized a metal or alloy capable of "withstanding high temperatures, of high heat conductivity, and to the proper degree resistant to oxidation at high temperature and "to the chemical effect of the products of combustion. As examples of metals or alloys that may be thus utilized, there may be cited iron, steel, copper, nichrome and the chrome iron and nickel alloys. The utilization of a metal or alloy has many advantages over silicon carbide, fire brick or similar refractory material.

ifor exampleyvarious shapes and cross sections may be readily manufactured, the heat conductivity is substantially greater, and the wall structure may be thinner with resultant decreased resistance to the passage and transfer of a greater amount of radiant heat. Further, metal or an alloy has much greater struc-.

tural strength than a refractory material, as aforesaid, and, therefore, there is less danger of failure through cracking. The simplicity of installationand possibility of utilizing particular alloys which would resist certain specific conditions which are sometimes encountered and where refractory materials cannot be used isalso an advantage.

The combustion chamber, dependent upon the circumstances, may be of any suitable conf i figuration. Ordinarily, however, it simulates a tube or passage having a length man times as large as its greatest transverse d1- mension. For example in Figs. 2 and 3 there is illustrated the roun or circular metallic structure A, preferably tube-like or elongated and having a length substantially greater than its diameter.

Where it is desirable to provide a large radiatin surface, the simple tube-like structure A Fig. 2 may be replaced by the structure B of Figs. 4 and 5 wherein the radiating surface is undulating or corrugated.

In the form of our invent-ion illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a combustion chamber comprising the metallic structure C of semi-circular or equivalent cross section having a smooth surface, or one that is irregular or corrugated, preferably the latter. The structure C may be seated on a base or sup ort D of metallic or non-metallic material. referably, however, the material from which base D is formed is refractory, as silicon carbide or fireclay.

In Fig. 8, there is illustrated a metallic radiating structure E shaped substantially as an inverted U and supported upon the preferably refractory base F. Here again the structure E may be plane or corrugated as found most desirable.

In Figs. 9 and 10, there is illustrated a plurality of spaced supports or piers G constructed of material, as brick, suitably resistive to high temperature. Disposed upon the supports G are the metallic members or plates H whose'ends preferably overlap as illustrated in Fig. 9. As with theforms of our invention heretofore illustrated, the members H may be corrugated or plain as desired. In the form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the space between adjacent piers G and beneath a member H constitutes combustion of fuel occurs with evolution of heat which is radiated from the member H.

In Fig. 11, there is illustrated a form of our invention wherein the combustion chamber comprises the wall structure I of any suitable shape and formed either wholly or partially of a metal or alloy. Disposed within the structure I is the refractory lining J, preferably constituting a chamber formed b sections or slabs of silicon carbide or the like. The burner Bl discharges fuel of any suitable character interiorly of the structures I and J, the latter being preferably disposed in the region wherein occurs the most intense combustion. stances, it may be that the highest rate of m heat evolution does not occur at the extreme left of the structure shown in Fig. 11 in which case the refractory structure J may be moved toward the right, leaving metallic wall structure alone in the immediate 65 vicinity of the burner B1. It may also be a combustion chamber wherein Under some circum-.

desirable to modify the structure illustrated in Fig. 11 by eliminating that part of the metallic wall structure I which overlies the structure J in which case the most intense combustion occurs in a simple refractory combustion chamber, the gases after becoming somewhat cooler passing to the metallic combustion chamber-I, both chambers, however, functioning to radiate heat to the heat absorption structure.

Within any of the combustion chambers constructed in accordance with our invention, there may be effected combustion of any suitable material, solid or fluid. For example, gas or oil may be introduced at one end of the articular combustion chamber in service, t e combustion progressing toward the other end thereof as the fuel, air and gases progress therethrough. As a result, the metallic wall structure becomes a source of radiant heat, usually incandescent in character, but, due to the fact that its heat conductivity is high, the temperature thereof does not become of suificient magnitude to cause damage. Thus, for example, while the temperature interiorly of the combustion chamber may range upwardly to 3200 de grees F. or more, due to the rapid transfer of heat through and from the metallic wall structure, the temperature exteriorly of the combustion chamber fails to attain a magnitude such as will cause melting or softening of the said wall structure. This mode of operation, of course, is based on the assumption that exteriorly of the combustion chamber there is provided heat absorption structure capable of absorbing the heat at -ubstantially the same rate that it is radiated from the metallic wall structure.

In general, it may be stated that the temperature of the radiant wall structure of the combustion chamber is roughly proportional to the rate at which heat is absorbed by the heat-absorption structure. Accordingly, the character of the metal to be utilized in a particular installation is, in a way, dependent upon the rapidity of absorption of heat by the heat-absorption structure. For, if heat is absorbed at an extremely rapid rate, the metal entering into the combustion chamber wall structure may have when heat is absorbed at a relatively slow rate, the metallic wall structure must be of such character that it will not melt at a relatively high temperature.

The thickness of the combustion chamber wall structure may be such as is suitable and desirable. Ordinarily, stantially less than that of a combustion chamber whose wall structure is formed from silicon carbide or the like but should be such as will produce a rigid structure and one which will not unduly warp or bend unditions, as

a relatively y low melting point. But under different con the thickness is sublimitation of our invention, in

' whose walls may der the influence of the high tem erature developed in the combustion cham er.

Merely by way of example, and without Fig; 1 there is illustrated heat transfer apparatus of the general character disclosed in our U. S. Patent No. 1,591,431, modified, however, by the rovision of a combustion chamber comprismg metallic wall structure in lieu of the therein-disclosed silicon carbide combustion chamber. In Fig. 1, 1 is a heating chamber be of brickwork or the like and whose bottom or floor 2 comprises any suitable filling, preferably overlaid by a layer or course 3 of fire brick or equivalent.

Disposed within the heating chamber 1 are the tubes 4, of iron, steel or other suitable material, extending in any suitable direction, as, for example, horizontally, as indicated, or inclined when suitable or desirable. All the tubes 4 may be connected in any suitable arrangement, as, for example, in tandem or in series with each other by couplings or headers, not shown, preferably disposed externally to the chamber 1. p

When desirable, there may be provided tube-supporting means, such, for example, as the pier 5 upon which is disposed the tubesupporting member 6 of fire brick or other suitable refractory material. 1 Disposed within the chamberl is a radiation combustion chamber C comprising a metallic wall structure, which, for example, may

1 be of the character illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. It shall be understood, however, that in lieu of the combustion chamber disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 there may be thus utilized a combustion chamber. of the character elsewhere disclosed herein, or any other suitable type of combustion chamber whose wall structure either wholly or in part is metallic in p character or a combination of refractory and rlnetallic wall structuresas illustrated in Fig.

Gas or oil supplied to the burner Blis burned within the combustion chamber, the combustion progressing as the fuel, air and gases progress through the chamber and part of the heat of combustion being utilized to raise the wall structure 0 to suitably high temperature to effect suitable rate of radiation of heat to the tubes 4 within the chamber 1 from which the hot gases of combustion are more or less completely excluded.

The hot gases or products of combustion pass from the combustion chamber into the bottom chamber 8 of the stack formed by the walls 9, then upwardly around and between the tubes 10 disposed-in the stack, and thence to any suitable destination. The tubes 10 may be connected in any suitable arrangement, as by couplings or headers, not shown, but preferably located externally'to the chamber 8. The tubes 4 and 10 may be connected in series with each other by a connection 11.

A fluid, aspetroleum, ora component or product thereof, may be heated by the structure disclosed in Fig. 1 for effecting a desired result. For example, the oil may be first passed through the tubes 10 preheating it to a desired temperature, and thereafter passed through the tubes 4, where it may be subjected to the same or different temperature, general- 1y a bi h temperature. For example, oil may 1 be sub ected to conditions effecting dissociation or cracking in the tubes 10 or tubes 4, or in both, under any suitable pressure, as superatmosphericpressure. Thus, to the heat-absorption structure comprising the tubes 4 substantially exclusively radiant heat is applied, which is radiated thereto through substantial intervening space, from the metallic wall structure of the combustion chamber; To the tubes 10 heat is applied by convection, since the hot gases emerging from the combustion chamber pass into contact therewith. The same tubes 10 are likewise heated by radiation resulting from the highly heated walls 9 of the chamber 8. i a I It shall be understood; that combustion chamber structure-of the character herein disclosed may be utilized to heat, in any suitable v one or more heat-absorption struca metallic combustion chamber while at the same time the hot gases passing therefrom are utilized to heat the for example, by or, two or more similarly same absorption structure, convection in part at least, heat absorption structures may be heated.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for heating petroleum comrising a combustion chamber having radiatin wall structure of refractory metal, heat a sorption structure disposed. in afixed and predetermined position with respect to said radiating structure and comprising a 1 bank of tubes traversed by thepetroleum and receiving heat from said wall structure by radiation, and means for effecting combustion in said chamber at a rate to maintain said radiating metal at incandescence, said metal being chemically inert at incandescence to the products of combustion.

2. The combination with a radiation combustion chamber comprising radiating structure-of refractory metal, of means for burning fuel in said chamber at a rate to main tain the radiating metal incandescent, said metal at incandescence continuing chemically inert to the products of combustion and a bank of tubes through which fluid is passed heated preponderantly by radiation-from said refractory metal.

3. Heat transfer apparatus comprising a combustion chamber having a radiatin wall structure of refractory metal, a'bank 0 tubes of refractory m through which fluid is passed disposed in fixed and predetermined position with respect to and heated substantially solely by radiation from said radiating structure, and means for burning fuel in said chamber'at a rate to maintain said radiating metal at incandescence, said metal at incandescence being chemically inert to the products of combustion.

4. Heat transfer apparatus comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamber having a heat-radiating wall of refractory metal, a bank of tubes traversed by fluid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in fixed and predetermined position with respect to said refractory metal wall from which said tubes are heated substantially solely by radiation, and mans for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion-chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at in candescence, said wall at incandescence being chemically inert to the products of combustion.

5. Heat transfer apparatus comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamber having a heat-radiating wall of refractory metal, tubular heatabsorptionstructuretraversed by fluid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in fixed and predetermined position with respect to said refractory metal Wall from which said tubular structure is heated substantially solely by radiation, means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at incandescence, said wall at incandescence being chemically inert to the products of combustion, and a second heat absorption structure through which said fluid is passed heated by convection by said products of combustion.

6. Petroleum heating apparatus comprising a heating chamber,

a radiation combus- 1 tion chamber having a heat-radiating wall of refractory metal, a bank of tubes disposed in said heating chamber in fixed and predetermined position with respect to said refractory wall and heated substantially solely by radiation from said wall, means for passing petroleum through said tubes, and means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at incandescence, said wall at incandescence being chemically inert to the products of combustion.

7. Petroleum heating apparatus comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber having a heat-radiating wall tubular heat absorption structure disposed in said heating chamber in fixed and predetermined position with respect to said refractory wall and heated substantially solely by radiation from said wall, means for passing petroleum through said tution of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at incandescence,

said wall at incandescence being chemically inert to the products of combustion, and a second tubular heat absorption structure through which said petroleum is passed heatedby convection by said products of combustion.

8. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamber having a heat radiating wall of a metal, a bank of tubes conducting a fluid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in good heat transfer relation with respect to said wall from Which said tubes are heated substantially solely by radiation, means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at incandescence, said wall having high heat conductivity, and the tubes being adapted to absorb heat at substantially the rate of radiation by the Wall, to revent melting or deterioration of the wall? 9. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamber having a heat radiating wall of a metal, a bank of tubes for containing a fluid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in good heat transfer relation with respect to said wall from which said tubes are heated substantially solely by radiation, means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain said wall at incandescence, said wall having high heat conductivity, and the tubes being adapted to absorb heat at substantially the rate of radiation by the wall, to prevent melting or deterioration of the wall, said wall also being composed of a metal which is chemically inert to the products of combustion at the operating temperature.

10. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a heating chamber, a radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamber having a heat radiating wall of a metal, a bank of tubes conducting a fluid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in good heat transfer relation with respect to said wall from which said tubes are heated substantially solely by radiation, means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain a temperature of the order of several thousand degrees Fahrenheit, the said wall being composed of a metal which has high heat conductivity, and the tubes being adapted to absorb heat at substantially the rate of radiation by the wall, to prevent melting or deterioration of the Wall at the temperature maintained.

11. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a heating chamber, a. radiation combustion chamber disposed in said heating chamher having a heat absorption structure for containing a fiuid to be heated disposed in said heating chamber in good heat transfer relation with respect to said wall from which said absorption structure is heated substantially solely by radiation, means for effecting combustion of fuel in said combustion chamber at a rate to maintain a temperature of the order of 3200 Fahrenheit, the said wall being composed of a metal which has high heat conductivity, and the absorption structure being adapted to absorb heat at substantially the rate of radiation by the wall, to prevent melting or deterioration of the wall atthe temperature maintained, the metal of said wall also being chemically inert to the products of combustion at the said operating temperature.

ARTHUR E. NASH. JAMES S. ALCOBN.

heat radiating wall of a metal, 

